SANTA BARBARA COUNTY – The road leading to Red Rock is once again in use and the trails are seeing more hikers.
The bridge at the Lower Oso day use area was reopened just in time for President's Day Weekend after being closed since last summer.
"I'm really excited to go on some trails that haven't been spoiled by anybody," said Mario Mendez, Santa Barbara resident. "When I heard it was open, I was like, ‘Yeah!'"
The repairs to the bridge were completed in the fall but the road stayed closed until it could be cleared of debris from last year's storms.
All that time that vehicles weren't allowed to cross, meant less visitors and a lot less money for Rocky Mountain Recreation that runs the concessions in the area.
"The families can't get up here to barbeque and that's where the money comes from," said Billy Meng, Rocky Mountain Recreation.
It costs $5 for a day pass but that revenue wasn't coming in because the only way to the popular hiking trails was by horseback, bike ride or walking.
Now that the Road is accessible, Meng said people from all over the Central Coast will make their way to the popular hiking and camping spots.
"Oxnard to Santa Maria and when the word gets around then they start coming in and they pay their $5 and that's what pays for everything," he said.
